We Were Let Go, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Secure a New Role That Suits for You

A new year's onset is often a moment for introspection, and for many, that includes thinking about our work lives.

Two publishing professionals who lost their positions following company reorganizations originally thought it was a disaster.

"I invested all my energy into that role... I believed in the principles we promoted. But in my case, that ethos were absent," a former editor states.

They both opted to say "fired" and believe that being open about it can help you process the event.

"There are so many soft terms for job loss. But the faster you accept it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the quicker you can advance.

"That's the quickest route to anything you desire to pursue next," she notes.

Currently, they are thriving in new positions, where one owning her own media company and the other working as top editor for a luxury magazine.

For those who have been made redundant or are simply considering a shift, these are four approaches that can help.

1. Reflect On Last Year

It's natural to have a bit low concerning your career post-festive period.

A careers coach emphasizes the necessity of reflection prior to launching a fresh job hunt.

She suggests people to consider what they wish to increase, what to reduce, and the things that energizes or exhausts their energy.

Examining your past successes to spot recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Try not to focusing solely on the most recent period, because we all exhibit for recency bias that can impede your judgment," she adds.

A former editor notes it is vital to determine where your work plays in your life.

This means being truthful regarding the hours you spend working and its impact on your family and social life.

After her own experience, she recommends preventing yourself be dictated by your career.

2. Implement Small Steps

She says people can implement gradual progress for a career transition without committing fully.

She took seven years to make the jump from a traditional job to operating a company entirely, building her project alongside her job, which allowed financial stability.

"It took more time, but that represented my approach without risk," she says.

She advocates for a test-run method.

This can include volunteering, joining an initiative you find appealing, or accepting a different task in your existing role.

"If it fails, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now than after you've committed fully," she remarks.

Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they serve as a step towards your goal, such as a role that shares traits to the career you want, yet not in the same field.

"It's about giving yourself the leeway to accept this works for now, however, that is not for all time.

"This is an intelligent tactic for moving much closer to that new career."

3. Recall Your Successes

For anyone who has just left your job, you aren't alone – layoff figures have surged to high levels lately.

A former editor held a senior role for a fashion publication, previously her entire team lost their jobs when the firm closed the print version.

Understanding that this was not a reflection of her skills allowed her to handle the transition.

"Your experience doesn't disappear simply due to lost your job.

"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's important for everybody to recall their own worth."

Another professional was let go following a long tenure with a finance publication after a change in senior ranks and the arrival of a new editor.

She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment associated with being fired is self-imposed.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. Chances are not your fault, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame around with you."

4. Build a Career Checklist

If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy in your current role, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – disregarding your own happiness.

However, this represents a major error.

Instead, she suggests an exercise called "scanning" – filtering opportunities down to position summaries that sound interesting.

She suggests browsing job platforms and saving a selection of that you like.

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